reBlogged to tomatoes on Sep 5, 2007, 10:08PM

Posted by empressofdirt@gmail.com (M.J.Will) Reblogged by Old Roses to tomatoes on 2007-09-06, 18:49:47

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A photo can tell a story. Here is one side of the kitchen windowsill. The Geraniums have been repotted and watered as the hallway had dried out the soil totally.

The Salmon flowers on one plant, and the Red flowers already blogged before. . .

reBlogged to geraniums

Posted by snappy Reblogged by Old Roses to geraniums on 2007-09-06, 18:49:05

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artwork (c) 2007 val webb

reBlogged to whimsy on Dec 31, 1969, 6:59PM

Posted by valwebb Reblogged by Old Roses to whimsy on 2007-09-06, 18:48:35

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Do you have your crystal ball out yet for predicting fall color? "There are ways to predict how beautiful a fall leaf display will be. These key predictors are a...

reBlogged to foliage on Sep 6, 2007, 2:38AM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to foliage on 2007-09-06, 18:48:12

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It's been noted that most of my blog posts of late have been only remotely garden-related. I am aware of that and while I prefer to post about gardening subjects, as I've said before, there are many more facets to my life. But I really do have A Good Excuse and to satisfy those that want pictures of flowers, I'm posting some today. . . .

reBlogged to flowers

Posted by Kylee Reblogged by Old Roses to flowers on 2007-09-06, 18:48:05

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Rio Ulúa is the large river in the center of map
marked in blue (in red farther north)
Click to enlarge

Rio Ulúa, one of the major rivers of Honduras, is now flooding its banks. but as in most Central American countries, primarily the poor live on or near the river banks and high risk areas. People are often reluctant to leave their home and belongings but are being removed by force when necessary. A total of 43,000 persons are now located in shelters. No deaths or injuries have been reported in Honduras at this time. . . .

reBlogged to weather on Sep 5, 2007, 6:44PM

Posted by La Gringa Reblogged by Old Roses to weather on 2007-09-06, 18:47:44

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La Ceiba sky, 10 a.m., September 5, 2007

So much to talk about (not hurricanes, but those who take advantage of them), but I'm sure that there are still many concerned about their friends and relatives in Honduras so here is an update. . .

reBlogged to weather on Sep 5, 2007, 1:23PM

Posted by La Gringa Reblogged by Old Roses to weather on 2007-09-06, 18:47:16

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reBlogged to organic

Posted by Susan Reblogged by Old Roses to organic on 2007-09-06, 18:46:55

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reBlogged to design

Posted by Elizabeth Reblogged by Old Roses to design on 2007-09-06, 18:46:49

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What should I do now to prepare my roses for winter? (answer).

From The Old Farmer's Almanac.

reBlogged to roses on Sep 5, 2007, 11:00PM

Posted by The Old Farmer's Almanac Reblogged by Old Roses to roses on 2007-09-06, 18:46:42

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Wednesday, September 5, 2007

I've been away from the computer for a couple weeks as the move to our new location is on. As our typical season drew close to Labor Day, Gail prepared for a sale of some daylilies and other things she wasn't in favor of moving to our new nursery home. Last weekend Michelle and Elizabeth helped her while I was busy transplanting daylilies down on Route 2. The process we mapped out is working very well and end-of-season sales have been very good too. . . .

reBlogged to lilies

Posted by George Africa Reblogged by Old Roses to lilies on 2007-09-06, 18:46:02

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In the past we have had a harvest party in early September. This year, we had it much early. We had it nearly all summer long! The harvest this year in all the gardens including the kid's gardens was tremendous. Even though it is now fading quickly, it was worth the efforts we put forth. . . .

reBlogged to harvest children

Posted by Katina Mooneyham Reblogged by Old Roses to children, harvest on 2007-09-06, 18:45:42

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My quest to reclaim the ivy and forsythia beds continued this evening as I dug up daffodil bulbs that had struggled under the ivy. These bulbs are decidedly undersized, and I don't know what the varieties are, but they are still worth planting somewhere to see what comes up. I'll name them once I see the flowers.

The ground is so dry that these were easy to dig and came out pretty clean. I've spread them out on newspapers in the garage and will replant them in late October.

Excuse me, I need to go move the sprinklers. . . .

reBlogged to gardening watering

Posted by Carol Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardening, watering on 2007-09-06, 18:45:23

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***edited to add Carol's 100% correct diagnosis of my little "problem" to the title of this post. See comments for details. :)

Knowing your shortcomings is important, and I admit that one of mine became apparent while I worked in the yard this week: Having lots of projects "in the works," all of which are only halfway finished. I don't know why I have such a problem with this at home, because I love the feeling of accomplishment that comes along with finishing a project at work. So it goes, I guess. . . .

reBlogged to gardening

Posted by Blackswamp_Girl Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardening on 2007-09-06, 18:44:56

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I did some work in the garden on Sunday afternoon, and as I was carrying compost and equipment back and forth, I noticed a new plant growing out of the stump in the middle of the grass. It looked awfully familiar, this plant, with its notched and pointy leaves and its fuzzy stem.

I walked by it about three times, noting it each time, before I finally stopped and took a closer look. Was it possible? Could it be?

I finally crouched down, pulled off a leaf and smelled it. Then I giggled.

Yes, people, I have a tomato plant growing out of a tree stump in the back yard. And I swear I’m not responsible.

reBlogged to tomatoes on Sep 4, 2007, 2:48PM

Posted by inadvertentgardener Reblogged by Old Roses to tomatoes on 2007-09-06, 18:43:24

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This garlic is a Porcelain type.

This has a nice clove color, a bit of a wood tone.  It has a slightly sweet flavor that is very nice, but also similar to other porcelain garlics.  This is the second year growing this and I am pretty happy with it so far.

reBlogged to garlic on Sep 5, 2007, 4:24PM

Posted by Patrick Reblogged by Old Roses to garlic on 2007-09-06, 18:43:02

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This garlic is a Marbled Purple Stripe type.

This is a very popular variety, and does well in my garden.  It has a really pretty clove.  The bulb skins ranges from white to white with purple splotches.  I haven’t tasted it yet.

reBlogged to garlic on Sep 5, 2007, 4:21PM

Posted by Patrick Reblogged by Old Roses to garlic on 2007-09-06, 18:42:55

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This garlic is Porcelain type.
This is one of those all around nice but not very special garlics.  This is my second year growing it, and it does well.  It normally produces 4-6 clove bulbs, has a nice taste and pretty cloves.  It is very similar and a good substitute for Susan Delafield and several other porcelain garlics.  This is a rare garlic and hard to find.

reBlogged to garlic on Sep 5, 2007, 4:17PM

Posted by Patrick Reblogged by Old Roses to garlic on 2007-09-06, 18:42:48

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The first Colchicum byzantinum of the season I confess I’ve had my nose pretty close to the grindstone lately, but I decided to take a brief stroll around the house yesterday. What!...

reBlogged to colchicums on Sep 5, 2007, 10:28AM

Posted by Kathy Purdy Reblogged by Old Roses to colchicums on 2007-09-06, 18:42:40

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After reading all about HRH The Prince of Wales and his little undertaking at Highgrove, his sanctuary in the Cotswalds, well, I clicked my heels (actually my mouse) and there I was at Amazon snapping up a copy of The Elements of Organic Gardening by HRH and Stephanie Donaldson. A shout out is due here to Adrian Higgins of the Washington Post and to the chicks at Garden Rant for bringing it all to my attention. And I would put the links here but the pesky mouse isn’t cooperating this evening.

And if you don’t already love me enough, just whip on over to the Slow Cook, Ed Bruske’s blog, and read up on the making of one FINE sandwich. Oh, My, Gawd : a fried green tomato BLT.

reBlogged to books organic on Sep 5, 2007, 10:29PM

Posted by Mary Ann Reblogged by Old Roses to books, organic on 2007-09-06, 18:41:10

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What's the best time/way to transplant foxgloves? Can they be divided? Also.. Best method to dry small decorative gourds?
Thank you all for your help and expertise..

reBlogged to foxgloves gourds on Sep 5, 2007, 11:01PM

Posted by Marial Reblogged by Old Roses to foxgloves, gourds on 2007-09-06, 18:40:50

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In the paper the other day, there was an article about the finding of ハマオモトヨトウ (Brithys crini) caterpillars in the prefecture. They were last since around parts in the mid Fifties. The name is derived from their favoured plant Hamaomoto, found between Minami-Kantō and Okinawa. The report shows a chap with hundreds of larvae swarming. . . .

reBlogged to insects

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to insects on 2007-09-06, 18:40:25

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My computer went kaplooey, and all my garden photos were on it! I'm pretty sure that I should be able to retrieve them, but right now, I can't get to them to do any decent garden posts.

I haven't been getting much gardening done lately anyway. I have been traveling. . . .

reBlogged to gardens design

Posted by Sylvana Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens, design on 2007-09-06, 18:39:44

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First there was garden coaching, and now that it's been discovered, for me it's morphed into coaching garden coaches.  Mentoring, if you will.  It means compiling information about everyone for the Directory, answering emails and even some phone calls.  One very nice gardener in Montana called and asked some great questions, including: What do you take with you to see a new client?  This was my answer. . . .

reBlogged to tools on Sep 5, 2007, 9:09PM

Posted by Susan Reblogged by Old Roses to tools on 2007-09-06, 18:39:10

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I have been so busy getting Andy ready for school that I haven't had much time to post. I have taken a few pictures but haven't gotten around to doing much. I'm hoping that now that Andy is in school (school started yesterday) that I will have time to catch up on a few things and find a new job. I am happy to report that Andy had a great first day of second grade yesterday - and rode the school bus for the first time since PreK.


Have a lot of bell peppers in your garden? Make some stuffed bell peppers. I cut my the long way in half instead of stuffing a whole pepper since they were so huge (portion control!) and they turned out wonderful. . . .

reBlogged to harvest recipes

Posted by Kathi Reblogged by Old Roses to harvest, recipes on 2007-09-06, 18:38:51

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The ideal garden fortifier puts on a really big fine art show.

Originally posted by Julie

reBlogged to organic on Sep 6, 2007, 12:05AM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to organic on 2007-09-06, 18:38:25

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As promised, here are a couple pics of my sedums. The top is 'Neon' - it is a patch near my front door and the one that gets regularly pummeled by newspapers flung at it. Still holds up pretty well, nice bright foliage in a part shade spot. When its blooms open in a week or so, they will be bright pink. The bottom pic is 'Autumn Joy.' This patch is near the downspout off my sun room and in theory would get a lot more sun than the 'Neon' but the Caryopteris and Russian Sage next to have grown into monsters and block most of the direct rays. It is just about to bloom. . . .

reBlogged to sedum

Posted by WashingtonGardener Reblogged by Old Roses to sedum on 2007-09-06, 18:37:16

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And I especially love it with green. My poor Purpleheart that I treat so badly-its underwatered, unfed - but still it thrives and even the gangly awkward pieces that I trim off adjust beautifully to their new home in a flea market vase. There's also something quite lovely going on here with this combination of Purple flowered Nicotiana and the purple tinged leaves of the Berberis Thunbergii 'Rose Glow'. More green and purpleness over here.

reBlogged to plants

Posted by The Occasional Gardener Reblogged by Old Roses to plants on 2007-09-06, 18:36:52

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Wednesday, September 5, 2007

In between trips to our new location with crates of daylilies ready for planting, I took Karl the wonder dog for a ride out back. I have a stockpile of plastic packing crates under an old fir balsam out there and Karl accepts any excuse as reason enough to ride shotgun in the truck. He's a funny dog but a good companion. . . .

reBlogged to watering

Posted by George Africa Reblogged by Old Roses to watering on 2007-09-06, 18:36:25

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Wordless Wednesday

My new Climbing Iceberg rose is blooming for the first time in my garden. I bought this rose a couple of months ago as a replacement for another rose that didn’t make it through our winter … well actually through the beginning of summer. It had been alive in the early spring. Perhaps I let it dry out too much or something. . . .

reBlogged to roses on Sep 5, 2007, 4:50AM

Posted by Tricia Reblogged by Old Roses to roses on 2007-09-06, 18:36:04

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I have finally laid my grubby hands on this decade's must-have ground cover for shade: Mukdenia rossii 'Crimson Fans'. I blogged about my lust for this plant exactly one year and one day ago, and I've been patient, waiting. Waiting. Well I got an e-mail from Kathy at Sara's in Brockport a while ago, asking did I want one still, as she has a few in stock. Yes, please! I went over there yesterday and picked it up. I didn't mean to arrive during their 40% off customer appreciation sale, but, um.... Seeing as it's an expensive little thing to begin with (24 bucks!) I don't feel too bad about it.

Want one? Yesterday there was the good part of a tray left.
















There are actually many, many great deals to be had out at Sara's right now, and in fact at most nurseries. I loved this mountain mint and regret not buying it.

reBlogged to plants

Posted by Jane M. Reblogged by Old Roses to plants on 2007-09-06, 18:35:36

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A lady in town who is doing a major renovation of her house and garden contacted me through a friend (who is her neighbor) and asked if I would like to have some bricks. I rarely turn down such an offer and she told me that I could have them if I would pick them up. My friend told that there weren't too many so I headed out one morning thinking I might possibly get them all in one load, maybe two. Ha! I think there were enough bricks there to cover a small house. A few weeks later and about five or six trips, I had a good supply of brick - now, what to do with them?. . .

reBlogged to landscape design

Posted by Phillip Reblogged by Old Roses to design, landscape on 2007-09-06, 18:35:23

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The Sahara comes to Cincy
It's just dry, dry, dry, drydrydry, here, this year~ I'm worried that I'll lose some of my flowers, for good, because I can only really water them once a day, and they're struggling. Most of my garden is dying by inches~ my wild impatiens, most of my 'regular' impatiens, my balsam, the water forget-me-nots (sob), and one delphinium, all bit the dust. The Oenothera are struggling valiantly, the Polemonium are dying..... it's just awful. I'm not there all day, so can't continue to water them throughout the day, and we don't have a sprinkler system set up in our yard. I come home, they've dried up during the day. . . .

reBlogged to weather

Posted by Christine of Epiphany Reblogged by Old Roses to weather on 2007-09-06, 18:34:29

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Tim is a long time nursery guy who searches out new plants for a living. Here's his blog where he shows you pictures and comments on his latest. . . .

reBlogged to blogs on Sep 5, 2007, 4:58PM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to blogs on 2007-09-06, 18:33:52

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Walk into any nursery or garden centre and instantly you'll be confronted with an excess of planters. Every colour, style, material and price seems to be catered for. From the tall to the small, wide to narrow they are all available and begging for your attention.

So how do you go about choosing the right planter for your home and garden? Can it just be confined to price?. . . .

reBlogged to containers on Sep 5, 2007, 7:16PM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to containers on 2007-09-06, 18:33:28

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Oh and diatomaceous earth is awesome against soft bellied critters like slugs, snails, grubs and other soil based larvae. Mix a little into the soil and sprinkle a little on the surface around a young plant and you'll save a lot of grief from the nasty stuff crawling up and eating your plants.

reBlogged to tools pests on Sep 5, 2007, 11:10AM

Posted by Daniel Reblogged by Old Roses to pests, tools on 2007-09-06, 18:33:04

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reBlogged to flowers

Posted by Amy Reblogged by Old Roses to flowers on 2007-09-06, 18:32:44

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I have an old cookbook entitled Too Many Tomatoes - a Cookbook for When Your Garden Explodes, and that about sums up what I've been doing lately. One of these days, I'm going to write up my thoughts on the tomato and pepper varieties I grew this year (so I don't forget by next January), but until then I'll be writing up what I'm cooking with them. The Striped Romans yielded a great fresh tomato puree for Gazpacho last night, and some fresh red mildly hot chile peppers provided a little kick and depth of flavor that made it really outstanding. Some of the same peppers went into a gussied-up version of pepper and egg sandwiches, but I haven't written that recipe up yet. Soon.

reBlogged to tomatoes recipes

Posted by Entangled Reblogged by Old Roses to recipes, tomatoes on 2007-09-06, 18:32:28

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The SF Examiner reports- San Francisco's Mayor Newsom, is supporting better nutrition options at schools with a $500,000 grant to the SFUSD Student Nutrition Services (SNS). What will be done with the money? SNS is planning to install salad bars at 25 SF schools this year, including three schools with Urban Sprouts gardens: June Jordan School for Equity, Excelsior Middle School and Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School. We hope it comes true. Our students have been organizing Salad Days to feature fresh salads with lunch for the past four years. Students have clearly demonstrated that they love fresh seasonal food. Urban Sprouts is looking forward to supporting the success of the salad bars at our schools sites.

garden and nutrition

reBlogged to community_garden

Posted by Esperanza Pallana Reblogged by Old Roses to community_garden on 2007-09-06, 18:32:10

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Soon, the leaves will be turning brilliant colors in some regions. That's all well and good, but here's the rub: the wonderful fall foliage season is succeeded by the less...

reBlogged to tools on Sep 5, 2007, 3:54AM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to tools on 2007-09-06, 18:31:49

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reBlogged to autumn

Posted by IBOY Reblogged by Old Roses to autumn on 2007-09-06, 06:26:36

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Please visit the garden bloggers' who've posted their poems and prose for GARDEN BLOGGERS' MUSE DAY . . .

reBlogged to whimsy

Posted by Carolyn gail Reblogged by Old Roses to whimsy on 2007-09-06, 06:26:02

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My Tatton Park bought Seeds have so far only had three germinated plants. Two Jalapeno pepper plants on the left, and a Friars Hat which is not photographed. . .

reBlogged to p